By Kirstie Fitzgerald
Reigning Division One premiers Deer Park has added three new recruits to its star-studded line up, with Stephen Tiller, Rodney Van Riet and Shaydon Bloomfield signing with the club for 2015.
While still in the process of finalising contract negotiations, Deer Park Vice President Matthew Pratt said the trio will be a welcomed addition as the club looks to secure its third consecutive premiership.
“All three men are quality players who will no doubt be a real asset to the club going forward.”
Dubbed as one of the best forwards in the Geelong Football League, 25-year-old Bloomfield will be all too familiar with the WRFL, having played for fellow division one club Albion in 2010 and 2011.
Recruited to the Lara Football Club in 2012, Bloomfield made a name for himself with his freakish goals and high flying marks, an asset which will compliment Lion forwards James Wong (82 goals) and James Condos (59 goals).
Despite leaving Lara to relocate his family to Queensland midway through the 2014 season, Bloomfield is set to return to Victoria early next year to pull on the blue and gold jumper.
“We spoke to Shaydon last year about his options whether he was thinking of returning to Melbourne or not and that we would be very interested in him if he did,” Pratt said.
“Shaydon is still recovering from a knee injury, so there is an air of uncertainty of exactly when he will be right to play, however that is a risk we are willing to take with a player of his talent.”
Joining Bloomfield will be Essendon District Football League duo Stephen Tiller (Avondale Heights) and Rodney Van Riet (Keilor).
Playing 21 AFL games with the Western Bulldogs between 2007 and 2010, 27-year-old Tiller won the 2011 premiership with SANFL club, Woodville West Torrens, before being recruited to Avondale Heights.
Named in the EDFL Team of the Year last season, Tiller is a commanding defender who is a strong mark in the air and has the ability to be an attacking force with his rebound from defence.
“With the departure of Jackson Barling, we were really looking for someone who was not only a good player, but someone who could fill in the leadership role Jackson had at the club,” Pratt said.
“After speaking to Tiller’s former clubs, we believe he will bring that element of leadership, while also complementing the backline with our full-back Tim Quick.”
Fellow EDFL star Rodney Van Riet will also be a welcomed addition to the Lions, with his pace and ability to carve up the midfield sure to impress onlookers.
One of the most consistent players in the EDFL, Van Riet has continued his 2010 Dick Reynolds Medal form, playing all 18 matches for Keilor this year.
“The club had been looking at Van Riet for a number of years now and I guess our persistence has paid off this time around, which is really pleasing.
“Rod will be a very important addition to the team, who we think will fill a similar role Brent Guerra had this season, who moved on at the end of the year to be a playing-coach with Chelsea in the Mornington Peninsula league.”
Despite the three new additions, Pratt said the Lions were still looking at potential players to join its ranks, while also keeping a strong emphasis of developing it’s under 18 players for promotion to the senior squad.
“We lost about seven players from last year’s group, so we are still looking at a number of players we need to bring in to fill those roles.
“That being said, our recruiting team is focused on developing the youth within the club which is pivotal to our long term structure.
“With the likes of this year’s under 18 best and fairest player Sohrob Ismail looking to progress up the ranks as well as a number of other up and coming young players we want to keep around, we’re really looking forward to providing opportunities for our 18 year old kids for future success.”
With Marc Bullen confirmed to coach the team in 2015, the Lions will look forward to hitting the track for its first pre-season training session on Monday.
Last Modified on 26/11/2014 13:19